text:
How you respond to setbacks is a choice
It's been 1 month since I've run pain free.
Iten, Kenya can be a hard place to be when you're injured as the majority of people around you are training twice a day.
Following a 6 week spell of disrupted training due to constant travel with work and visa applications, mid-May saw me excited to resume full training – possibly too excited. I decided to have a week of easy/steady paced runs to ease back into things. The Monday to Saturday saw me clock up more miles than planned but I felt good.
Sunday is of course long run day (not for Kenyans but I stick to a similar schedule out here as to when in the UK). I woke at 5am and drove out to the famous Moiben route with two training partners Boaz and Kiprotich. I wanted to do 16 miles starting at around 7.30 minutes per mile and working our way down to 6.30 minutes per mile at the quickest. 10km into the run we were already clocking 6.10 per mile and instead of slowing down I went with the flow.
These are the runs I live for and with so many injuries in the past it is hard to not get excited when you are running well and injury free. However, sometimes 'less is more' and this is something I should have remembered at this point. My coach Lewis Walker had said those exact words to me in March as we mapped out the training plan for this spell in Kenya. I finished the 16 miles with 6.22 per mile average and although I felt ok afterwards it turns out that run was probably too much load compared to my current capacity.
That week totaled 61 miles and although that is around 25% less than my biggest weeks of mileage, it was most likely too much too soon considering the past 5 weeks had been 30 miles at most. Sometimes the old increasing by 10% rule isn't a bad one to roll with!
From the next morning of Monday 27th May onwards I have been troubled with medial knee pain in my left leg – a similar pain as the one which resulted in knee surgery in 2016. During the past 4 weeks I have received great advice from my coach Lewis Walker, my family, physios here in Kenya and in the UK and also massage from therapists locally in Iten. This has been a period of reflection and discovery which I hope can benefit me in the long run. When you get back to running after injury is so easy to forget about doing the exercises that got you back in the first place.
Although I haven't found the solution to this injury yet, it seems that it is linked with tension in the left leg – probably due to general weakness. Since the surgery it has probably never been strong enough. Hopefully the massage on adductors, hip flexors, quadriceps and psoas combined with weights 3 x per week under the guidance of elite athletics and cycling coach Ciaran Fitzpatrick out here will get me back to running before I leave. Being out in Kenya for this 5-6 month spell was supposed to be a training filled period with a view to seriously revising 5k and 10k personal bests on return. Life doesn't always go to plan so you have to stay positive and determined no matter what it throws at you.
I'm fortunate to have represented my country indoors and outdoors and to have won a Scottish 1,500m titles indoors and out – both being memories that I will cherish forever. Nevertheless, these were 4 years ago and in running terms I don't want to only be remembered for achievements as a 26 year old. I want to achieve more.
Now and again people fondly refer to my victory over Andrew Butchart in that 1,500m final on home soil in 2015 (he had already run the 5,000m an hour or so before!) Of course it is something I am proud of but I have often thought 'would I have rather had his 4 years since then instead of my injury riddled spell?'. Its safe to say I have spent more than 50% of the time since that race injured and only taken part in a handful of races as a result – something which is frustrating in itself when you dedicate so much of your time to training. Butchart has gone on to represent GB in Olympic and World Championships as well as running some cracking times over 5,000m and 10,000m. In all honesty, I wouldn't trade places – maybe running wise I should want to but taking into account the things GEF have achieved since then and with Mary and Dahlia coming into my life, I am happy with my life. Even running wise alone, that win in Aberdeen meant so much to me in the wake of my friend Neil's passing. The victory was inspired by him and for his family.
I am ready to work hard but right now my body won't let me. One day, it will. You have to stay positive and believe that you will be back to your best.
A family friend of ours always says that if he doesn't recognise someone he knows through running, he always says "how's the injury?" and 9 times out of 10 the conversation which follows reminds him of who the person is. Injuries are common and part of the parcel of our sport. I am not unique and there are people facing much more challenging situations.
Recently I have been Googling for various motivational quotes to help during this setback but in all honesty not many of them inspire me the way they used to. The idea of 'the comeback' used to motivate me so much, especially after the knee surgery. However, there are only so many 'comebacks' I can get motivated for before it just becomes repetitive. There is one quote which has resonated with me:
This strikes a chord because it is applicable to how you respond to anything in life. It is very easy to get annoyed or angry with the smallest of things each day, especially when you are already frustrated with not being able to run. However, the response you have to these situations or injury can dictate the happiness or success of your day. Don't allow negatives to create more negatives.
Despite currently not being able to run I still have the option to wake up and train. It is easy to forget that the option is a privilege. It is so important to think about why you want to run, who you do it for and those who no longer have the option to wake up and run or do what they love. When waking up for an early morning run or when feeling down about injury, I often think to myself 'what would Neil want me to do here?, would he want me to hit the snooze button or give up?'. No, he would want me to wake up and run and never give up. Think about the people who mean the most to you, whether they are still around or no longer here – and think what they would want you to do.
During my work with GEF I regularly meet people smiling and even thriving in the face of adversity. I'm surrounded by stories of setbacks much worse than my own – Iten can be a hard place to be when injured but equally I'm the lucky one here.
One of these inspiring individuals is Simon Mwangi. Two years ago he relocated to Iten with his mother and siblings in order for him to train with the best runners on the planet. He lives in a very basic mud house a few miles down the steep valley road from Iten. His mother shares a broken single bed with his 5 younger siblings whilst Simon sleeps on a thin piece of foam on the mud floor of the living room.
Each day Simon runs 3 miles up the steep and dangerous valley road, in his worn out training shoes to meet his training partners for runs and sessions. In 2018 his efforts paid off, or at least he thought they had when he won the Ndakaini Half Marathon in Kenya. The prize for the winner was to be a life changing 300,000 kenyan shillings (approx £2,300 pounds). To this day the organisers have not paid any of the athletes.
Over the past couple of weeks I have got to know Simon better. He is a humble, polite and calm guy with bucket loads of determination. He was churning out 80+ mile weeks of running in completely worn out training shoes that were full of holes so we surprised him with a new pair of training and racing shoes from Champions Running Store in Iten. He couldn't stop smiling the whole way back to his home.
During the journey home he told me how his mother suffers from stomach ulcers and other ailments but undeterred she works hard on their small farm on a daily basis. Many a time he has felt like giving up but his mother's example and encouragement have kept him going. She regularly tells him to have faith and keep running up that hill.
Thanks to support from fellow runner and Kenya Experience guest, AJ, Simon has been able to get his first passport – something which he is very proud of! This is the first step of hopefully getting some races for Simon later this year in Europe around September/October. If anyone knows of any potential 10k, 1/2 or marathon races with prize money on offer around that time, I'd be grateful if you could get in touch. In due course we also hope to be able to support his family in some way with school fees and shelter.
If Simon and his mum can thrive in the face of a lifetime of adversity, I am sure I can overcome a 4 week injury.
A small taste of life sleeping on a mud floor
A small taste of life sleeping on a mud floor.
By Myles Edwards. 19/11/15
A series of events over a number of years led to myself and GEF Operations Co-ordinator, David Sagida spending Monday night on a mud floor in a house with no electricity or furniture. Here's how it all came about.
We first met 19 year old Zeddy Chirchir from Kibendo in April 2015. Two years earlier, she had fallen pregnant during Form 2 (her second year of secondary school) and dropped out of Kibendo Secondary School. A friend of the family, Rose, had encouraged her to return to school and complete her education. It took some time and effort but eventually Zeddy returned to Form 2 in 2014 with Rose scraping together enough of her own money to pay her fees. Early in 2015, Rose was really struggling to afford the tuition, food, boarding and uniform fees and approached me to see if the foundation could help in any way. Inspired by both Zeddy and Rose's efforts, David and I visited the family to find out more about their situation.
Zeddy Chirchir
We were both struck by how determined her mother, Margaret was to ensure Zeddy got her education. Not only was she looking after Zeddy's baby boy, Mallon, but she had also collected a large amount of heavy stone as a form of payment to the school for fees (this is often accepted in Kenya as the schools can use them for building or improving classrooms). Unfortunately, despite her efforts, she couldn't afford the transport to get them to the school. Following the visit we shared Zeddy's story on the Gathimba Edwards Foundation Facebook page, asking if anyone could be in a position to sponsor Zeddy each month for £35. Almost immediately, Shona Duthie kindly agreed to support her and so the next day we were able to clear the £225 fees due for Form 3, which Zeddy is now about to complete. Zeddy loves volleyball, reading books and is also the school netball captain but she dislikes running due to the fact she feels she is not good at it. Thanks to Shona, she now looks forward to her final year of secondary school and her dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Zeddy's mum calculating school uniform costs on her arm
This year, we started to make formal follow up visits to each of the 230 children we are supporting across Kenya to monitor their academic progress and also identify any needs which they may have at home such as beds, bedding, food and clothing and to check on their health. During our follow up visit to Zeddy we realised that her home situation was far more desperate than we could have imagined. Her mum has 7 other children and they all sleep in a single room mud house with no furniture and only a couple of blankets. They use old empty maize sacks instead of a mattress and the light from the charcoal fire to do their homework. The father of all 8 children ran away earlier this year, fearing the responsibility of looking after so many children. This also highlighted for us just how important sex education is for families here and it is something which we will cover in our seminar on 24th November in Iten and also push to have included more in the school curriculum in Kenya.
During the past 18 months since we started the Gathimba Edwards Foundation this was definitely one of the most shocking living conditions we had seen. I knew immediately that we had to do something to change this.
I came up with the the idea of staying there for a night to raise awareness for their struggles and hopefully transform their lives. Without taking much time to consider it, I decided to run the idea by my good friends and GEF volunteers Dan Mulhare, Sarah Campbell and Nicola Henderson. With their typical enthusiasm they all said "GO FOR IT", and so go for it I did. David being David, he wouldn't let me go alone and insisted that he accompanied me for the adventure. David is one of the most loyal, honest and hard-working people I have come across since my first visit to Kenya in 2011 and it is a huge pleasure to now have him as a full-time member of our team. He faces his own struggles each day with his 9 year old son Daniel paralysed from the neck down due to contracting meningitis at 2 months old, but despite this he never stops smiling and helps others whenever possible – even giving up 3 days of his work as a motorbike taxi last month, before he was employed by us full-time, to help with our building work 8 hours away from Iten in Karatina.
We contacted Margaret and explained why we wanted to come and stay for a night and she was absolutely delighted to welcome us. Prior to our departure, we set up a Total Giving fundraising page – http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/kibendokids – with the hope that we could raise enough money to buy and deliver several items to them the next day.
We arrived in the dark at around 7pm after a 40 minute motorbike journey in the rain along slippery, bumpy, mud roads. It wasn't the most comfortable of journeys due to us also carrying two bags full of donated goods. We were able to pack the bags full of lovely clothes and games which our 51 building volunteers had brought with them last month. On arrival we were given a warm welcome by Margaret and all of the children who had come out of the house and walked down the wet, muddy hill with no shoes to greet us and help with our bags.
Walking up the steep hill to their house, I followed some of the children who were all bare foot. As they sped along the narrow path in the pitch darkness, I slipped and tripped in their wake, unable to see a thing. The house was also in darkness, the only light coming from the kitchen charcoal fire. As we entered the house, David and I immediately struggled to keep our eyes open due to the burning smoke from the cooking fire. The room was split into four sections – kitchen and 3 sleeping areas. The children sleep on the old maize sacks and use their hands as pillows, huddling next to the cooking section to gain warmth.
With the children staring at us and our bags, wondering what was inside, I decided to open a couple of donated board games – Connect 4, Snakes & Ladders and also some jigsaw puzzles. Excitement levels went through the roof. They pushed and shoved to be the first to play each game but eventually some order was restored and we explained each game to them. They had never seen a jigsaw before so I also explained how they could construct them.
We also brought a couple of solar lights for them to have in their house. Excitement levels rose again as they all looked and grabbed at them with intrigue. One of the young boys, Evans constantly stroked the back of my hands confused at why they were hairy. He then rolled up my sleeve and burst into laughter at my hairy arms….the others followed suit, filing the dark, smokey room with a warm, infectious laughter.
To get a break from the smokey fumes, David and I ventured outside. Collins, a 12 year old cousin to the family was standing outside smiling and chuckling to himself. I asked him why he was smiling. His smile beamed even bigger and he said: "I am just so happy." It was a special moment. I think until that point I had been caught up in the excitement and let why we were there slip my mind. That comment from Collins brought it all back to reality and filled me with a huge feeling of inspiration that we were in touching distance of achieving something special for this lovely family.
As Margaret and her sister Baziliza prepared dinner, David and I sat outside chatting with eldest son Boniface. After a few minutes I sensed that he felt quite awkward so I asked if he knew why we were staying the night. He responded with a concerned and sheepish: "no I am not aware." I then explained to him what we wanted to help them with and how I felt that by us staying the night it would give readers a better understanding and appreciation of how tough life is for him and his sisters. He immediately relaxed, would not stop thanking us and began opening up about school and home life. He told us how each night he studies with a small bottle of burning paraffin and then goes to sleep early because there is nothing else to do. Having scored 747/1100 he stands a good chance of realising his dream of becoming a teacher if his fees can be paid.
We returned inside to pray before dinner and were then served chicken, ugali and sukuma wiki. The family usually eat ugali and sukuma each night but had slaughtered a chicken for our visit. One chicken was to feed 14 of us – the 7 children (Zeddy was at boarding school and Mallone with the grandmother), Margaret, Baziliza and her three children, myself and David – all of us squeezed into the small house. The children eventually took their dinner after refusing several times in favour of playing with their new board games and puzzles.
Chatting to Margaret at dinner I asked how many of her children of school age were in full time education. To my amazement, she told me they were all in school as she saw giving her kids an education as a priority over furniture. This really struck me hard as my parents were never faced with a choice like that for me growing up in Scotland. David told me that in remote areas like Kibendo they have a real sense of community and there is a pressure from village elders to make sure your kids are in school even if their shorts are torn to the degree that buttocks are showing – something you see quite frequently in Kenya.
After some more time spent chatting and playing games, at 10pm it was time to go to sleep. I took a walk to the toilet which is 50 metres away.
Margaret offered David and myself the blankets which the children were to use. We refused and explained again to her that we were there to gain a real life experience of the tough conditions which some of them face each night and so we settled down onto our maize sack, using our arms as pillows. The room was still filled with a burning smoke and I could feel it seeping into my lungs and eyes.
I remembered about a new blanket which we had brought for the family and so I gave it to Margaret. She placed it over four of the boys and removed the old blanket. Twenty minutes or so later one of the boys jumped up in excitement when he realised he had a new blanket – another memorable moment.
One of the boys was clearly suffering from a chest infection as he coughed and sneezed all night, only sleeping a maximum of 1 or 2 hours. One of the girls was snoring with the volume of a rhino, much to the amusement of the others.
I was unable to sleep for the first 6 hours due to the discomfort of my hips lying on the cold, hard ground. Our sleeping area was also only approximately five feet in length so I was unable to stretch my legs out fully. Eventually I took my jacket off, folded it up and used it to cushion my side – buying me an on/off 2 hours of sleep. Waking up, I had pain on both hips and also my arms but this was outweighed by a real sense of gratitude and determination to change this family's life. Margaret said to us in the morning that she didn't think I would stay the whole night and the she was very happy to see me wake up smiling.
We had brought two pillows with us for the kids but realised they hadn't used them. When I enquired as to why they had not slept with them, they said they didn't know what they were for.
After taking a cup of tea for breakfast we opened up the suitcases and called each child individually to hand them some new clothes and toys. It was an amazing feeling to see the smiles on their faces as they received more gifts than they ever had in their lives. This photo of little Valentine, fascinated by bubbles, really stood out for me as one which shows how important it is to give kids in Kenya the things so many of us take for granted at home. It may only be bubbles but the principal is the same whether it is clothing, education, food or shelter.
Faith, one of their cousins, washed her legs and feet on a stone in the morning and told us that she was scared to wash too much because she would just get dirty again that night when she put the old blanket over her and her siblings.
As we walked down to the road with Margaret, around 50 neighbours had to come out to see the 'mzungu' (a term used to describe white foreigners) who had chosen to visit and sleep on a mud floor. Smiling with pride, she said to me:
"This is a great day, these people will talk about this sight for days to come. Nobody believed me when I said you were coming but now they believe. You are the news of this area today and it is good news. Neighbours wanted to sing songs to us because they had witnessed something special which they had never seen before. It is good to show others in this world how others live. Thank you to all those who made this happen, donated clothes and changed our lives. May God bless you all."
David and I then departed for a busy day of shopping in Iten. Thanks to the incredible kindness and generosity from several people, we managed to raise £366 which enabled us to purchase bunk beds, mattresses, cups, pots, blankets, chairs, solar lights, plates, bedding, pillows, a kettle and a flask. We then travelled back to Kibendo by car – I don't think Kiprotich, a friend of David's and our driver for the day knew what he had signed up for until we started filling his car with all the items. We got stuck in the mud twice on route to the home – local villagers helping us out on both occasions. We also drove past Zeddy's school and she spotted us from the playground and waved excitedly as she knew where all the items were headed. Due to the muddy conditions we couldn't get the car as close to the home as we would have liked so ended up having to pay around £3 for five local men to help us carry the beds and other items up the steep, slippery hill face.
The beaming smiles on the children's faces, particularly little Noah's (below, middle), when we arrived with the new items were priceless. They had come sprinting down the hill to greet and help us. As we got into the house we quickly realised that the bed parts were not quite the right size, so we had to chop them down ourselves with a panga (machete type knife). This took a couple of hours but it was well worth it to see their smiling faces again when the beds were complete.
Some of the younger ones had never seen beds before as their friends in the neighbourhood all sleep in similar conditions. It was fascinating and humbling to see them touching the mattresses and wondering if it was all real. Margaret said:
"In life we never thought we would own our own beds. Before, the children used to rarely study but now with the solar day lights and our new table they will be motivated to study regularly."
Meshak, Noah and Justin with new bed
The following morning, we called Margaret to find out how their first night sleeping on a bed had been. She said:
"They used to jump up in the morning to go to school but this morning they wanted bed time to last forever. I said to them 'you must go to school in order to improve your lives and sleeping can come later'."
That next night I slept for 12 hours – the first time I have done so since my school days. David and I both also experienced nose bleeds – I guess from breathing in the smoke of the kitchen.
A few people have said to us over the past few months that they feel we should focus on only one area out of food, clothing, education or shelter but this experience cements even more the importance that all these factors must be improved for a child to prosper. How can you thrive at school if you are sleeping on a mud floor, doing your homework under a dangerous candle, wearing torn uniform and not eating regular meals?
I will never forget how inspired and shocked I was by seeing how the kids of the Pavilion Village children's home lived back in 2013. With our regular visits to Kenyan families these days, we see so many poor living conditions. I think to a certain extent you become a bit hardened to it, but only a bit. However, as I lay on that mud floor in the darkness, I totally appreciated how lucky I am to have a big, warm bed with comfortable duvets and pillows at home. The experience will keep my fire burning to continue helping as many disadvantaged kids as possible in the coming years. The sad thing is that we will never be able to reach all the children living like this in Kenya, let along the world but I believe if everyone does something small to make a difference to a child's life then we will start to see real change in this uneven world.
It amazes me how one night of discomfort for us can mean transforming a family's life. Margaret called us the next day to say: "Enjoying life has just begun for us."
Justin, Noah, Zeddy, Valentine, Meshak, Mallon, Boniface, Joanne and Evans will never sleep on the floor again. They may have been on the floor for years but now, the sky is the limit.
Thank you for reading and thank you to everyone who made this possible.
Running for Neil
Missing out on Glasgow 2014….is it all over?
A couple of people asked me earlier this year if because I didn't qualify for Glasgow 2014 would it mean I would give up athletics, or train a bit less, or start going on more nights out. Is it all over now?
No….this is just the beginning. Ask me the same questions when I'm 80 years old and I'll say the same thing.
I got into athletics at a very young age because I loved the sport and wanted to do my dad proud. Nothing has changed in that respect. Every year there are new goals but the same target is always there – to improve. Even if it is by 0.12 seconds like last year, it shows things are going in the right direction. The 2 main things for me are that I am enjoyin g what I do and that I'm improving.
As many of you reading this will know, we lost a very special person in tragic circumstances just over 5 weeks ago. Neil Jaffrey meant so much to hundreds of people and his death is still very hard to accept. I know he would be very proud of the way his family, friends and the running community have rallied round in his memory and this will never stop. I will really miss his texts before and after races and also his messages after each blog I posted. Since Runnerslife.co.uk closed down I haven't posted a blog but Neil has inspired me to start again and stop being so lazy when it comes to writing. I know I'm not the only one who thinks of him daily and on every run. I have found myself in many situations thinking 'what would Jaffers want me to do here?' Whether it is in training, a race, work or in my personal life the answer is always either PUSH HARDER or GO FOR IT. I am never going to wait for things to happen. His enthusiasm, determination and interest in others was second to none and massively infectious. I don't know why but he had a never ending belief in what I could achieve and because of that I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to fulfil my potential as a runner, person and with the Gathimba Edwards Foundation work in his honour. For his family to have donated the donations at his funeral to the kids we are helping in Kenya really is the biggest honour myself and the foundation will ever receive. Neil will have played a huge role in everything I achieve and I'm sure that is the same for so many others who miss him so much.
I turn 26 in a couple of week's time and I'm more determined than ever before to achieve my goals. Flights are now booked for 6 weeks in Kenya, before flying back in time for Xmas. This trip is going to be really exciting for me because it will be the first time there since I started working full time for the charity thanks to prosource.it paying my salary. I'll be visiting all of the children we are currently supporting as well as various others who we hope to be able to help in the near future. I'll be meeting up with 10 families in Kitale who have 83 kids between them and through our Bulls for Schools initiative we hope to be able buy each family a cow which will enable them to them to fund their children's education. A cow costs £340 but generates £1,500 in the first year so it can make a big difference to many lives. I'll also visit a family in Iten who's house was accidentally burned down. Since the fire the children have been separated and unable to attend school. Our aim is to build them a house and return the children to school. None of this would be possible without the incredible support the Gathimba Edwards Foundation has received from so many of you and for that I am extremely grateful and humbled.
If I can shake off an achilles injury then I plan to race the Scottish National Cross Country Relays on 25th October, the Dash to the Finish Line 5k in New York on 2nd November and then the Scottish National 4k Cross Country Championships on 9th November. There are lots of events and initiatives through the foundation planned for 2015 which I am really looking forward to and I am excited to be focusing more on 1,500m racing. I can't wait to get back over to Iten to hang on for dear life to Jake Robertson in track sessions and on long forest runs at 8,000 feet above sea level.
Bring on the next 26 years and beyond!
#runningforneil
Learning 2012
Expectations which arise from impressive performance or a spell of great training, can result in an athlete's target race going either one way or the other. Team GB and Kenyan performances from London 2012 provide plenty examples of how some athletes thrive under extreme pressure and others, for whatever reason, are unable to produce the goods when it matters. Despite not yet being at that level of competition, I am able to relate to and draw comparisons between the London 2012 Olympics and my own season.
Firstly, what an incredible Olympics it was – certainly the best I have witnessed in my 23 years on the planet. From organisation to determination and the inspirational to the spectacular, London 2012 had it all and was undoubtedly a resounding success. The added bonus for me is that I have a gut feeling that the Paralympics will inspire me further more.
Sir Steve Redgrave kicks off London 2012 by passing on the Olympic flame to stars of the future
As always with positive and successful events in life, there are always going to be negative people clutching at straws to find faults and criticisms. Thankfully these straws were the small kind you get with Ribena packs and the pessimists were drowned out by the billions of people who have been thrilled, inspired and motivated by the performance which London put on for the world. The stage was well and truly taken and I believe a generation has been inspired.
Whilst trying not to sound hypocritical, the only negative area which I will touch upon is that thankfully drugs cheats grabbed much less of the headlines than in previous years, however they were still there. It amazes me how Nadzeya Ostapchuk could have been naive enough to think that she would not get caught doping in this day and age. It baffles me equally as much that she could take satisfaction from winning a tainted medal and therefore deny other athletes their reward for years of hard work and sacrifice. Articles are going to be about the only ceremony Gong Lijiao of China will receive after she was bumped up from 4th to the Bronze medal position as a result of the Belarusian's cheating in the women's Shot Put competition. Valerie Adams of New Zealand was rightly promoted to Olympic Champion and Evgeniia Kolodko of Russia was moved up from bronze to silver.
Ostapchuk (centre) with her tainted medal
Anyway enough of the negative. What was most inspiring for me was that at one point during the Games, the north-east of Scotland would have been sitting 10th in the medal table had they been a nation. The reason this provides me with increased motivation is not because of some misguided pro-Scottish feeling, but because living in Kenya has showed me that when your neighbours achieve great things, this automatically raises the bar and sets the standard for others to go and at least match.
For whatever individual reasons, the Kenyan team did not enjoy the success they had hoped for and which they have become accustomed to. It was lovely to see that the message coming out of Olympic Marathon favourite (but finished 4th), Mary Keitany's camp was along the lines of "win or lose, it will always be together." Another example was in the men's Marathon where pre race favourite, Wilson Kipsang (bronze medallist) said afterwards: "some days you win and some days you don't." We can learn a great deal from the Kenyan attitude despite their relative lack of success in London 2012, as I am sure it has played a huge role in their past triumphs.
My summer track season started promisingly after returning in late May from 3 months of altitude training in Kenya. I enjoyed 5-6 weeks of personal bests and winning performances but unfortunately suffered from chest infections and bugs for the best part of a month after that. Now back fully fit and training well I felt disappointed after relatively good performances in the Division 1 British Athletics League match on Saturday just past in Windsor. Having had a few days to reflect and take on board advice from my Dad/co-coach, Mel Edwards and my other coach, Grant Smith I have realised that you cannot expect personal bests in every race just because you are feeling in great shape. With 2 races left this season (BMC 800 metres tonight in Watford and BMC 1500 metres in Bedford on Saturday) I aim to relax, stay positive but not overly optimistic and just go out there and enjoy my racing and hopefully a personal best or two might come in tandem.
Maybe, and I hope, one day there will be no need for me to draw these comparisons between the world's best and my own.
David Rudisha leads home the fastest 800m race in history in what was 'only' one of two gold medals for the Kenyan team in London
Tagged as bedford, bmc, british milers club, evgeniia kolodko, gong lijiao, grant smith, london, london 2012, London 2012 Olympics, london 2012 paralympics, mary keitany, mel edwards, mem ltd, Myles Edwards, myles edwards media ltd, olympic shot put london 2012, ostapchuk, paralympics, rudisha, runnerslife, steve redgrave, team GB, team kenya olympics, valerie adams, watford, womens shot put
Reflecting on three incredible months in Iten, Kenya – Home of Champions
Mary Keitany winning the 2012 Virgin London Marathon,becoming the third fastest of all-time.
As I sit on the roller coaster-like bus journey from Eldoret to Nairobi, it gives me time to reflect on the 3 month trip to Iten, Kenya as a whole. In between getting thrown from window to window and launched off the roof in jack-in-the-box fashion, I realise that I have definitely taken being able to train injury free for the whole trip for granted. The fact is I have just been enjoying it so much and relishing the opportunity to push myself to new limits. But that is what you do when you are happy, you go for it and do not look back.
However, when I think back to what the previous trip between August and November last year was like due to shin problems and the worries I had before this one as a result of that, it really sinks in how grateful I am to be training injury free thanks to my physiotherapist, Ron Coutts.
Blogs and interviews have been a lot less frequent this time around as a result of me actually doing what I was here to do – run. It is a sacrifice I have been more than happy to make and hope it pays off on the track this summer. Nevertheless, I have been lucky enough to conduct two of the best interviews of my journalism career, which more than made up for the lack of other articles.
Spending time training and relaxing with Kiwi twins, Jake and Zane Robertson was a 'Macced-out' experience. After leaving home aged 16 in 2006, the pair are now on the cusp of the highest echelons of the sport. They are living proof that if you make sacrifices and follow your dreams to the bitter end then you will succeed. As I concluded in my article with them in VO2 Max Magazine earlier this month, these boys prove people wrong for a living.
Jake and Zane Robertson, per 1500m final in Kitale, Kenya.
Two days ago I was also incredibly lucky to interview the charming and charismatic double London Marathon champion, Mary Keitany for the second time in my career. What made this interview all the more special for me was that not only did it focus more on the personal side of her life than the running but she trusted me enough to ask any question I wanted despite one journalist not so long ago abusing this trust and writing unpleasing material. This was made possible largely thanks to Jeroen Deen, one of the world's top physiotherapists who is based in Iten. Without Jeroen, I would not have achieved half the success I have done in the profession today. He and Mary will be friends of mine for life.
There have been far too many people to name that have contributed to success and enjoyment of this trip. One friend in particular was instrumental in helping us get set up in Kenya last year. Both myself and Dan will miss his company and horrendous humour now that we are heading home. Both trips would not have been the same without him.
From left to right: Ciaran, Nelly Masai, myself, David Rudisha, Dan, Linet Masai.
As an individual and as an athlete I feel very solid mentally and always have a positive mindset. Having had my fair share of injuries over the past few years I have often felt like I just needed the physical side of my running to catch up with the mental side. During the first few weeks of this trip I had a handful of sessions with Klemens Weigl, as part of a sports psychology programme and already I am feeling the benefits. The sessions have filled me with belief that I can take the mental aspect of my running to an even higher level and as a result I am certain my times on the track will improve. His techniques and thought-provoking advice really gives you the feeling that you have an extra weapon in your artillery. I feel empowered and I look forward to a long and successful partnership with Klemens, even if it is via Skype.
Iten truly is a place where you can realise your dreams. That said, you have to have a higher than ever commitment and desire to achieve your goals. I came to Kenya knowing the results I wanted on return but would have to admit that to a certain extent, I naively thought it would come almost magically just by being here. In week one something my training partner, Dan Mulhare said really hit home: "No one coming to altitude is going to improve unless you train harder than you would at home."
My attitude has always been spot on thanks to my Dad's inspirational advice over the years, but at home as a result of injuries and distractions which I won't go into, my application and commitment has been lacking. Not now. Not ever again. This is the time I make sacrifices, work to fulfilling my potential and put smiles on the faces of those who support me.
Dan has definitely had a big influence on my training and commitment over the past 3 months. Anything I achieve this year would not have been possible without Clockwork Mulhare's 6am screams at me: "Myles are you running this morning or what?" Had he not been here I would probably still be in bed rather than writing this article or running anywhere near the times I feel I can this year.
Dan and myself during track session at Kamariny Stadium
Gideon Gathimba is a Kenyan international athlete and world record holder (4x1500m relay) who won the mile race in Aberdeen for the opening of the Sports Village in 2009. He kindly invited me to live with his family and train with him for 5 days in the middle of my trip. It turned out to be the best 5 days of my life – filled with some incredible experiences. We met his 122 year old Great Grandmother who had never seen a white person before. As I entered through the gate at the bottom of her garden and she caught a glimpse of me, she started dancing around and shouting 'mzungo, mzungo' – a term that many Kenyans use to refer to white people. It was heart warming to see how delighted she was that a mzungo had come to visit her and also brought her some small gifts. It is an experience which I will take with me to the grave.
Myself and Gideon's 122 year old Great Grandmother, Adelaide
Gideon plays an active role at his local church when he is not jet setting around the world as part of his life as an international athlete. By taking me along to Sunday service as his guest, we created a little bit of history. No white person had ever attended and again their welcoming warmth towards me was inspiring. Little did I know they were expecting me to get up on stage and give a mini speech. I through in as much Swahili as I could muster and thanked them for their kind welcome and greetings. It seemed to go down ok and I quickly migrated back towards my pew.
Myself, the Pastor and his daughter at Sunday service
In the final part of my trip we both competed in the Athletics Kenya track meeting in Thika. My first race on Kenyan soil and I was the only mzungo in the whole stadium. Racing in Kenya gives you a tougher than ever mentality that makes nerves in Scottish championship call rooms fade into insignificance. All eyes on were on me. Thankfully this inspired me and made me more determined. I knew I had been training hard and most importantly I knew that I had more ability than almost anyone in the stadium thought I had. Racing below race distance at 400 metres, I ran 0.5 seconds outside my lifetime best and placed 4th out of 8. I am told the announcer shouted on the microphone, halfway in to the race: "who is this mzungo and why is he beating our boys?" We hope to raise sponsorship to get Gideon into the Aberdeen Union Street Mile road race this year.
Gideon taught me the importance of 'shape'. 'Shape' to Kenyans means more than just being in good shape, but being in shape to compete against anyone on any given day. Previously I had been naive and in some ways lazy, thinking that 4 weeks of hard training with some weights and core mixed in would get me into prime shape.
Right now I am the fittest I have ever been but what Gideon and Kenya to a certain extent too has taught me is that there is no reason why this is anywhere near my limit. It gives me huge confidence that if I could run 1.53.07 for 800 metres last season, off the back of 6 weeks hard training which had been preceded by months of messing around, then this year can be hugely improved.
Day 1 of the 2011 trip, not in 'shape'
You can learn a lot from the Kenyan athletes. You can also learn how not to do things. So many train in groups that follow the lead/fastest runner's programme. These are not suited to everyone and it is why many runs themselves into the ground and into an early retirement. The rain here is indeed far worse than home. Almost every road is un-run able at times when the skies decide to open. However, they need to toughen up and run in the rain sometimes, they think we are crazy when they see us running in only a small bit of rain. Another way that this can be looked at is that they do not feel the same pressure as we do at home to complete every session that is planned for them. It is flexible and they can easily miss one here or there.
Coming into 'shape'
Thanks to BodyHelix I was able to organise a mile race at the Kamariny Stadium in Iten. It was a huge success and we hope to build on it greatly next year. With winning times of 4.14 for the men and 5.00 for the ladies, there was a high standard turn out which was great to see. It felt fantastic to give something back to a place which has given me so much.
The BodyHelix Men's Mile 2012
Things could not have gone any better for me this time around. I recorded my biggest ever weekly mileage week at 75 miles in week 10 of 12. Whilst my Dad urges me to not get too fixated on mileage like he did it is hard not to get excited but I remain careful and hold back when necessary. The track sessions I have done here give me real hope that I can run the times I want to this year. I was pleased to be hitting fast times in sessions on the slightly too long dirt track at 8000 feet above sea level. My last 2 weeks have included some quality sessions but reduced mileage and I am beginning to feel fresh as the races approach this weekend. I will line up to run the British Milers Club Grand Prix 800 metres on Saturday followed by a 1500m and 4x400m relay in Aberdeen on Sunday in my first outing as club captain. It will be fantastic to see my Mum again when she kindly collects me in Manchester and drives me back to sunny Scotland.
It's clear to see that I absolutely love it out here in Kenya and I could easily live here. However, it is a strange feeling to have that I still really, really want to come home. I am looking hugely forward to seeing family and friends again but the burning desire to be home again comes from wanting to produce the results that all this trip's hard work was designed to do and that many people have supported me in doing so.
Yesterday I completed my final track session on Kenyan soil. It was only 5 x 200 metres and with a long-ish recovery to get the legs ticking over for Saturday's race. I was determined to hit one of them in 24 seconds and the first 4 went by in 25, 25, 25 and 25. I said to myself before the last rep: "you will hit 24, now GO!!" Coming down the home straight I was thinking to myself 'push as hard as you possibly can and leave it all on the track, you will not have another opportunity to rectify this if you don't push hard enough now'. I crossed the line in 24.94 and as I put the brakes on I went up onto the bank of the track and was confronted with the most incredible view across the Great Rift Valley. It was one of the best moments in my running life. That is the magic of Iten, Kenya – Home of Champions.
Elated at hitting the elusive 24 second rep!
Tagged as altitude training kenya, dan mulhare, david rudisha, gavin smith, great rift valley, home of champions, iten kenya, jeroen deen, kenya, klemens weigl, linet masai, mary keitany, mel edwards, Myles Edwards, myles edwards aberdeen, myles edwards scotland, myles edwards' blog, run kenya, runners life, Running, runniong, the kenya experience
Braveheart Becky aims to follow in the footsteps of her mother
Written by Myles Edwards in Iten, Kenya.
The first in a series of in depth interviews with Aberdeen Athletic Club members features under 17 middle distance star, Becky Cheyne. Cheyne chats to Myles Edwards about her aspirations for the coming years and what it is that drives her to succeed in the sport.
Born in Aberdeen in 1997, Becky tells us how she first got involved in athletics:
"My first ever race was a Primary Schools event at Chris Anderson Stadium (now Aberdeen Sports Village). I was in Primary 5 and managed to come 4th in the 800m. Although I missed out on a medal, I was very proud of myself because my only other races had been at school sports days."
This race planted a seed within Becky which continues to spur her on today as she then went on to compete in all Active Schools events from 2007-2010 and scooped 1st age group place in every Race for Life from 2007 through to 2009. She hopes to return to the Race for Life event this year as she has missed the past few due to other commitments.
Now coached by the legendary Grant Smith, Becky has won 'Athlete of the Week' three times since the introduction of the award in November 2011. Becky says:
"I am proud of this achievement because it shows that I am improving and heading in the right direction. I think the introduction of this award means that secretly we all strive to do better and that our performances are recognised."
Coached by Grant Smith since 27th June, 2011, she goes on to describe the influence that Grant has on her progress and that of others in the group:
"Grant is a good coach for many reasons. He emails our workouts to us beforehand so that we know what times we have to improve on. He also emails us our times following the session so that we can write them in our diaries and make comparisons with similar sessions from the past.
"He also gives us little tips on how to improve our running styles and techniques. He is always happy to help and never pushes us too far, he just goes with our abilities instead of pushing us to breaking point. He's always happy, encouraging and positive."
With personal bests of 2.49.1 and 5.56.2 for 800 and 1500 metres respectively, Becky aims to improve on both of these marks this season off the back of some great training over the winter months.
Cheyne goes on to tell us why athletics is the sport which she most enjoys:
"Athletics is my favourite sport because nobody judges you, every member of Aberdeen AAC is very friendly and welcoming. The sport itself is very enjoyable – you can run from anywhere, for whatever distance and for whatever reason. You can also use it to take your frustrations out on really well. If I'm annoyed, I simply think – 'I will show them' – and therefore run better because of it.
"I prefer athletics to team sports purely because my hand-eye co-ordination is a bit skew-whiff! However, I do still consider athletics to be a team sport as everyone is in the same club. Also, in relays we are a team – even if you're not picked to be in the squad of 4 you will still get a buzz from cheering everyone else on."
Keen to find out what drives Becky to train harder and harder week in, week out, I ask who it is that inspires her:
"My Mum, Denise is without a doubt the person who inspires me most as it was not so long ago that she ran for Scotland. Kelly Holmes is someone who I also greatly admire. She didn't have the best start to life and didn't even like running to begin with. Despite this, she never gave up and in the end her hard work produced two gold medals in the same Olympics and also got her a knighthood.
"I admire the attitudes of athletes such as Derek Redmond who battle through severe pain to get to the finishing line." (Redmond famously pulled a hamstring during the 400m semi final at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and had to hobble and be carried by his father for almost 200m to cross the finish line)
Becky goes on to say that she 'holds athletes in high regard who, despite their talents continue to be modest and support younger athletes' like herself.'
Next we move on to what Becky feels she can achieve within the sport of athletics:
"I am not certain of exactly what I can achieve but if I keep training well and getting personal best times then I will in myself feel that I have achieved an awful lot.
"I think it would be brilliant to run for Scotland one day, or compete in the Olympic or Commonwealth Games. However, that is not a necessity for me to be satisfied. As long as I know that I can run for as long in life as I want to and that I am a lot fitter and more active than my peers at school, then I will be a happy chappy."
The next interview will be with middle distance maestro, James Joy as he looks to improve on his 800m personal best of 1.53 from last year.
Tagged as 1500 metres, 800 metres, Aberdeen Athletic Club, altitude training, becky cheyne, becky cheyne power of 10, denise cheyne, grant smith, iten kenya, james joy, james jpy powwer of 10, kenya, mel edwards, Myles Edwards, myles edwards journlaist, myles edwards kenya, myles edwards runner, myles edwards' blog, scottish athletics
Masai magic and Choge class in Body Helix Mile, Iten Kenya
Athletes jostle for position at the start of the men's Body Helix Mile.
By Myles Edwards in Iten, Kenya.
As most people in the UK rose from their beds this Sunday morning, 36 Kenyans lined up to take part in the first ever BodyHelix Mile in Iten, Kenya.
Excitement was high in the build up to the big race at The Kamariny Stadium, home of distance running champions. Both men's and women's races had to be delayed by 1 hour due to heavy rain overnight, which had made the famous dirt track more like a cross country course than a platform for some of the world's best athletes to perform. Undeterred, the athletes still went on to impressively produce some scintillating performances.
Maggie Masai outsprinted her training partner, Phenencia Chemtai to win The BodyHelix Mile women's race in a time of 5 minutes 0.1 seconds, beating her lifelong friend by 0.4 seconds. With a track session of 6 x 800m two days previously and a long run of 1 hour 20 minutes less than 24 hours before the race, both athletes had not planned on competing until a last minute change of heart. It is not only this that makes their victory so impressive but also the fact that they had been sipping tea and eating the famous Kenyan food of chapatti only 20 minutes beforehand. In a time of 5 minutes 23.5 seconds, Monica Chebet came home to scoop third place and the final cash prize.
Magdaline Masai (left) out sprints Phenencia Chemtai to win gold in the women's mile.
Speaking after the race with Maggie, the younger sister of 2009 World 10,000m champion Linet Masai, she said:
"The preparation was not how we would normally warm up for a race but I was ok and still felt strong. I am very happy to win this race but I will not be preparing like that ever again."
The inaugural men's BodyHelix Mile saw large numbers of athletes line up to try and scoop the title. The field was packed with talent and it was 3 minutes 37 second 1500 metre runner, Raymond Choge who emerged victorious, outsprinting his compatriot, James Kangogo to win by 2 seconds in a time of 4 minutes 13.9 seconds. Alex Lagat came home to scoop the bronze medal in a time of 4 minutes 17.3 seconds.
Coached by the explosive combination of Gabriele Nicola, Renato Canova and Joseph Cheromai, Raymond looked in great shape as he crossed the line to complete his first ever mile race. He gave some insight into what the victory meant to him:
"It is a very good feeling to win the BodyHelix Mile. I thank god for giving me the strength to win and beat some very good athletes who I was fearing slightly beforehand. I was tired from a track session yesterday of 3x600m, 3x300m, 3x400m but I worked very hard to secure the victory."
Raymond Choge sprints away from his rivals to win gold.
Race organiser Myles Edwards, Liaison Manager for BodyHelix in Kenya said:
"It was a truly spectacular occasion and really enjoyable to see the smiling faces of athletes who won prize money that will make a big difference to their lives. Having trained here myself for 6 of the past 9 months, it fantastic to give something back to the community in Iten, Kenya and this would not have been possible without the BodyHelix team's input.
"The race would not have occurred were it not for the phenomenal support of world renowned physiotherapist, Jeroen Deen who's impressive efforts made everything run smoothly. Thanks must also go to Dan Mulhare of Run Kenya and the local children who filmed and photographed the race, with the latter also creating posters to advertise the event over the past couple of weeks.
"I look forward to being part of this event for years to come and seeing it evolve into something truly special at the heart of the distance running world here in Iten, Kenya."
Tagged as 1609 metres, alex lagat, body helix, body helix compression, body helix mile, iten kenya, james kangogo, kenya, kenya running, linet masai, magdaline masai, mile running, monica chebet, Myles Edwards, phenencia chemtai, raymond choge, run kenya, running in kenya, wilson kipsang


In the late 90s, I noticed some of the SF hipster girls wearing their cowboy boots ironically, and I told myself I would never -EVER- have cowboy boots.
When I saw these babies with hearts on them on Modcloth, I had some serious "Should I or shouldn't I?" conversation with myself. It is clear now which side won.
They are by T.U.K. which I usually can't wear because I've always been between the 7 and the 8. But I read on the ModCloth reviews that they ran large, so I ordered the 7 and they fit absolutely perfectly! The heel is a bit clickety-clackety and even my dad commented that my shoes were loud, but aside from that, I kind of love them.
Boots: T.U.K. from ModCloth, Dress: a boutique in L.A. on Sawtelle I can't remember the name of, Shirt: you can't see but is So So Happy.
I'm between a 7 and an 8 too!! Those are super adorable and aren't too cowgirl-ish, which I like.
I wish they came in other colors! I have a lot of pastels in my wardrobe and it seems weird to pair those with giant black boots!
I loved my cowboy boots as a kid. I wore them from 1st grade up until 4th grade. Personally I love the kind with sugar skulls plastered all over them. Have you ever looked into the high end boots?
Nope! I have not looked into boots much at all. I just saw these as I was skimming through ModCloth!
cool! A lot of girls at my school wear cowboy boots and I not a big fan of them…But these ones are cute!!!
Yeah I have been resistant to them for a long time!!! Truth be told, I always felt like they would make my ample calves look even …ampler.
That's good advice! Leather shoes really do stretch a lot!
These TUKs are actually manmade materials, so I wonder how long they will last!
You have an awesome pair! I'm addicted, I'm ready for another pair!
I can't even believe how perfect these are for you.
I have the same problem with TUK shoes. Frustrating!
Oh gosh… I am not really a cowboy-boots kinda girl either, but these are seriously tempting!
It's funny you wish they come in more colors I've been ogoling these same boots on plasticland in red however they are out off my size. I've purchased many tuk shoes and never noticed they were too big. I want the red really bad maybe ill try for a size down. Damn having large feet.
uh what they come in red? off to plastic land!
I grew up on a farm so I LOVE cowboy/cowgirl boots. Im always on the lookout for new cool ones! Yours rock and totally fit your personality! Adorbs as always!
My only real problem with these is how loud you are walking down the street!
Cowboy boots with no heel? they look like sanrio shoes for little kiddies. I mean, if that's what you're going for, bully bully.
Cowboy boots are the one footwear that transcends all limiters. Hipsters, nonhipsters, ironic detachment, unironic detachment, all can rock a good, vintage pair of cowboy boots. Just not those fug shortie ones.


text:
Home News Jeanfield team-up with Perth care home for new heartwarming community project
Jeanfield team-up with Perth care home for new heartwarming community project
News George Holan · April 18, 2022 · 0 Comment
They call it the beautiful game – and it does not just need to be on the field of play.
Football can play a starring role in the community too and a touching new intergenerational project in Perth is certainly case in point.
Jeanfield Swifts' kind-hearted 2013 squad has teamed-up with Kincairney House Care Home, situated on Glover Street, to interact with residents and provide a listening ear.
The project idea was the brainchild of one of the home's senior carers, Heather Perrins, whose son Samuel plays with the Swifts.
Heather, explaining how the link-up started, said: "My son's football team was looking for sponsors.
"I then wondered if there could be an intergenerational project where we could bring the children to the home.
"I sent an email over to head office with the idea – and they really loved it.
"It's been a long time in planning – since about November last year – but we finally got it up and running last week."
Kids attended the home, owned by Morar, last week to present a framed shirt to some of the residents as a memento and token of appreciation for the sponsorship.
They also showed off their range of football skills as well as hearing plenty of interesting stories from the residents.
Moving forward, residents from Kincairney House are set to attend Jeanfield home games.
Heather continued: "Jeanfield Swifts have said we can use their lounge at the ground. The residents can head in there after watching a game and have a wee cup of tea. Jeanfield are embracing the idea.
"The children, when on their holidays, will be able to come to the home to play activities and games. It's all about building relationships.
"We were thinking outside of the box and where we could have a safe space for residents and the children.
"One of the coaches said 'put a ball to their feet and they will happily show off what they can do'.
"They were kicking the ball backwards and forwards with the residents, touching the ball really carefully."
David Reid is Jeanfield Swifts' community liaison officer.
"The partnership will see the players benefit from new home kit while also gaining some new fans in the residents," he said this week.
"In return, the players will take part in Morar Living's new intergenerational project which aims to tackle social isolation amongst the residents.
"The residents will be a regular fixture at the team's league games and the players will pay regular visits to Kincairney House to build relationships, share stories and learn new skills.
"It's a partnership that supports each other's values and needs.
"Sponsorship is extremely important to us as a club, it allows us to buy kits and equipment for our youngsters and give them that real sense of belonging to the club, as well as keeping our fees as low as possible, which has become even more important in the current cost of living crisis.
"As a community club, Jeanfield Swifts is delighted with this new partnership and look forward to seeing the project be a great success for everyone involved."
A number of the residents take a deep interest in football – and one even has a professional background in the game.
All involved hope this is the beginning of a "beautiful relationship" between young and old, which will be mutually benefit for everyone.
"We have a lady who is 101 and she had the most amazing stories about when she used to support Aberdeen," Heather explained to the PA.
"The kids' faces just lit up and she was still overjoyed when she went back to her room.
"And one of our residents was scouted by Aston Villa so the children loved hearing about that. He was a professional footballer back in his day.
"It brings their stories to life. They are not just old people sitting in a wheelchair. There is real history there and a story to tell. I think the children got a lot of out it."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill
San Jose, San Marco, St. Nicholas
Brooklyn, Downtown, Springfield
Senior Residents
Junior Residents
"Click to Flip" Current Issue
The Way We Were: Jane Condon
Posted on June 1, 2018 By Editor Senior Residents
Jane Condon, front, and friend Carol Grimes on camels in Erfoud, Morocco
Jane Condon's maiden name, Sharp, is an excellent fit for the woman who successfully led three Jacksonville schools for the arts. The English idiom "sharp cookie" describes one who is intelligent, bright, and sharp enough to identify attempts to deceive or mislead. Jane's strong, innovative, astute and insightful leadership as principal of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, La Villa School of the Arts, and First Coast Community Music School provide ample evidence that she is, indeed, one sharp cookie.
Jane Condon on her retirement
from LaVilla School of the Arts
"A great deal of leadership consists of common sense," insists Jane, who credits her late mother, Sadie Miller Sharp, for instilling that quality in her. "Sadie was pragmatic and down to earth. She had so much common sense. She was also charming and somewhat quirky," Jane said, grinning. "She loved having a daughter. She fed me breakfast in bed and while I was at school, she'd go out shopping at the department stores downtown and have new clothes laid out on the bed with the sleeves spread out, just so, by the time I got home." Jane jokes that her main claim to fame at Robert E. Lee High School was that she was the best-dressed kid in class.
Although she was a good student throughout her schooling, Jane doesn't feel that she was a standout, however, it is obvious that Callie Coodie, her fifth-grade teacher at Fishweir Elementary, remembered her quite well. "I had just graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Education and was applying for a job when I heard a loud, familiar voice," recalled Jane. "'I'm coming to offer Jane Sharp a job!' shouted Callie Coodie.'"
Soon, Jane was teaching fifth grade at Hyde Grove Elementary. Callie Coodie "was loud and funny, and she made her students feel good about themselves," said Jane. "She had a rocking chair in her classroom and she used to rock the boys." As to Jane's expertise in elementary school, she was the "star jacks player" every morning on the steps at Fishweir.
Jane's memories of that first teaching job are somewhat bittersweet because 1960 was also the year her father passed away. Robert Sharp, the 11th in a family of 12 children raised in Conyers, Georgia, had only an eighth-grade education but, like Jane's mother, had the intelligence and common sense necessary to make a good living. He ran City Ice & Fuel Company, and her mother taught school until Jane and her younger brother, Robert, came along. "Dad gave us a good life growing up – a nice home and everything we needed to succeed," said Jane. "My brother and I had good parents."
Bill and Jane Condon with her mother,
Sadie Sharp, at their wedding
After four years at Hyde Grove Elementary, Jane applied to the Department of Defense for an overseas teaching assignment and taught, from 1964 through 1967, in Nurnberg and Wiesbaden, Germany and then in Yokuska, Japan. "It was a plum job and I loved it," she declared, noting that her travel and lodging were reimbursed and, for $2 a week, she could hire a maid who insisted on ironing her silk underwear. While teaching overseas, Jane acquired a love for travel that has remained with her always.
In 1973, Jane met and married Bill Condon, "the smartest man I've ever known." Bill, who was the Corporate Research Librarian for Blue Cross Blue Shield (now Florida Blue), was a scholar with a "high fun IQ. He knew everything and never forgot anything. He often read two novels a day."
When they married, Bill brought three children into her life, ranging in age from three to nine years old. The kids spent summers and holidays with Jane and Bill in Jacksonville and as they became teenagers, Jane's career skyrocketed. She went from being principal at Stonewall Jackson and Timucuan Elementary Schools to becoming principal of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (grades 8-12). Balancing home and career as she helped raise Bill's children, attended parent/teacher conferences and dealt with teen angst, she jokes that she sometimes found herself on the other side of the principal's desk, but it was well worth it. Today, she enjoys the role of mother and grandmother.
Being principal at Douglas Anderson (D.A.) was both challenging and thrilling for Jane. In a 1989 "Folio Weekly" article by Sheena Goldblatt titled "The Queen of the Arts," Jane was profiled brilliantly. Jackie Cornelius (then Arts Director/Assistant Principal of Curriculum, later to become principal) was quoted, "I think the overall atmosphere of the school reflects her personality which is a sense of concern, a sense of tolerance and acceptance. [The artists] feel she helps create a real comfortable environment in which they feel at ease about doing creative things. Her presence is very much a part of this sense of professionalism, a sense that you can strive and do whatever you want to do, be whatever you want to be."
Jane Condon and second husband, Dan Selhorst
In 1990, the Arts Assembly of Jacksonville (now the Jacksonville Cultural Council) presented Jane Condon with a Special Recognition Award for her outstanding work in establishing Douglas Anderson. In 1991 she received the prestigious EVE Award for Education, and in 1995, she was elected by the Florida State Thespian Society as the State Administrator of the Year for "her outstanding leadership, promotion and motivation of excellence in arts education."
Sadly, Jane's triumphant reign as principal of D.A. was cut short when she retired in 1996 due to the death of her beloved husband, Bill, following a lengthy illness. Her "retirement" was short-lived, however, as she was appointed in 1997 to design the campus and concept of the new LaVilla School of the Arts, which she opened in 2000, serving as principal until her second retirement in 2003.
Jane's friend, Barbara Moulding, invited her to a Christmas party in 1999 and, again, her life took an unexpected turn. There, she met a tall, handsome man named Dan Selhorst. A former Catholic priest, handsome Dan loved sailing, lived in San Marco, and worked in public relations. They had quite a wedding, which included Dan's sons, Geoff and Mark and their children, Jane's stepchildren and grandchildren, her brother, Bob and his son, Michael. With her brother, Bob, a retired attorney living in San Marco, Jane's family was complete, or so she thought. In 2011, Dan passed away. Widowed again, it was then she decided that losing two husbands was enough. A widow she would remain for life.
When her friend, racecar enthusiast Jerry Walsh, reconnected her with another recent widow, Carol Grimes, the two women hit it off royally. Carol, a writer, consultant, and a professor at FSCJ for more than 24 years, shared with Jane a love of art and travel, as well as several cultural and social concerns. It was a natural for the two vivacious widows to join forces, and they did.
Today, they live as the most amicable of condo-mates in Jane's spacious condominium at San Marco Place and spend their days traveling the world. Since May 2012, they have been to France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, South Africa, Croatia, Turkey, Great Britain, Slovenia, Poland, Vancouver, Alaska, Russia and Norway, as well as several places across the United States. Their favorite trip so far was Morocco because, Jane says, "it is like going through the lands of the Bible. It's not difficult to picture Joseph leading a donkey alongside the road."
Jane Condon (right) with Douglas Anderson
alumnus Kue King
When they are in town, Jane and Carol stay busy attending fundraisers for the arts and education and working with TEDxJacksonville. Jane has served on the leadership team for TEDxJacksonville since its inception in 2012. She met organizer Doug Coleman through Leadership Jacksonville and was involved in recruiting team members such as Carol Grimes for the TEDxJacksonville annual conferences and salons.
One of the true joys of having served as principal of D.A. is when Jane has the opportunity to support former students who have achieved success in their various fields. One such student is Kue King, now a world-renown sculptor. "I bought a beautiful piece from Kue as a gift to Jackie Cornelius when she retired from D.A.," said Jane. "I know how much it means, from personal experience, to receive a gift created by a former D.A. student."
Strolling across the living room from the condo's panoramic view of the city they call home, the widows pose for a photo in front of a gorgeous oriental panel in their foyer. Carol cradles their tiny male companion, Giovanni, a 6-year-old teacup Yorkshire Terrier, in her arms and, for a brief moment, the two glance at one another, growing solemn as they pay silent tribute to their recently departed four-legged companion, Haiku, the white Maltese. "She nearly made it to 16," murmured Jane, sadly, and then…squares her shoulders. It's a sparkling day in San Marco and there is a trip to Ireland already in the works! The sun shines in and laughter, once again, is the order of the day. Life is beautiful.
By Susan D. Brandenburg
Resident Community News
Beach Buggies offer free rides in San Marco
If you live in San Marco, it is now possible to make your way anywhere from River Oaks Road to the Southbank without taking your …Read More »
International artist brings color to San Marco Square
A painter with international fame has used the exterior wall of Grape and Grain as his canvas to bring life and color to San Marco …Read More »
Construction to begin on San Marco Crossing
San Marco Crossing, Chance Partners' newest Jacksonville development, will begin construction on its two-building, 486-unit housing community in July. The approximately $86 million project is …Read More »
St. Vincent's celebrates heart pavilion topping out
Just 13 months after St. Vincent's HealthCare broke ground on the site for what will become the Delores Barr Weaver Heart and Vascular Pavilion, a …Read More »
Historical society releases list of endangered structures
Twelve buildings are on the Jacksonville Historical Society's 2019 Endangered Properties list, which includes two new structures. New to the list are Snyder Memorial Methodist …Read More »
Submit News or Event
Virtual Newspaper
Advertise with The Resident News!
Newspaper Distribution
F: (904)423-1183
1650-302 Margaret Street #310
© 2019 residentnews.net


Probably there are a lot of you who don't have the Gmail app installed on your device. And why should you, when your iPhones and iPads came with a pre-installed Mail app, where you can check all your mails with one tap. I, for one, didn't even know Google had a mail app until today. But you know what? You should really give it a try. And even stick with it, especially if you only have Google mail accounts.
The Gmail app is extremely similar to your regular Mail app. There's no surprise there. I liked the design a bit better, but basically it's the same. Same window, same buttons, but not necessarily in the same place you can find them with the regular email app. Basically, it's the same. But that's only at a first glance.
Click here to get the bite on - What's Your Favorite Gmail Client On The iPhone?
What's the nearest pizza place or who is Albert Einstein might be questions you would normally ask Siri or pop open a browser window and search. But did you know you have an easier way of doing this? It's called Google Search and it's *the* app to have on your home screen. Take Google Search with you anywhere you go and enjoy the power and speed of Google's search engine right in your pocket.
iFile Download Manager iPhone App Review.
Years from now, I think people will no longer use actual notebooks, sketch books or planners. Because who needs to carry all these things around when you have all sorts of apps that help you write down just what you need, when you need it, with a single tap on your light, beautifully designed iPhone or iPad. Can't think of any of these apps that could make your life easier? Well, then let me introduce you to Paper. Apple's pick for 2012's iPad app of the year, available on the AppStore, of course.
iCallU is a simple iPhone app that tries to transform your iPhone into a traditional phone by letting you search for a contact old-school style: spelling a name on the dialing keypad. The app's T9 search function will take over and show you a contact associated with that name. The app is available for $0.99 on the AppStore.
Open up the app and notice that every number on the keypad has a set of letters associated. For example, "2″ has the letters A, B and C. To call someone, start typing his name. So if I want to call Alex, I just have to touch "2″ and Alex's name is displayed. If you have more than one name beginning with that letter, continue typying to fine-tune the search. Once you found the contact, tap "Call." Now, iCallU will just launch the regular Phone app and call that contact.
Click here to get the bite on - Too Lazy To Search For A Contact? Get iCallU!


It's a very sensible thing in this day and age, but I believe this particular group is often not being used for its intended purposes.
Surely the function of this group should be to keep neighbours informed of suspicious activities or direct threat and report where applicable to either the neighbourhood watch, the local security companies or the police if necessary?
However, what seems to happen more often than not is that a large portion of the reporting relates to non-locals in the area or moving through the area, and this is often reported as "scouting" by a member of the group.
This then seems to convey a right to the controlling clique within the group. The person is often just using either Visagie Road or Birkenhead Road as a short cut instead of walking the long way around via Blaauwberg Road.
By what authority does this person have the right to do this? None. What training does that person have in the event of things falling apart? Likely none.
Walking around with a walkie talkie in your pocket is of little assistance when things go pear-shaped quickly.
There are existing channels that are both prepared and paid to attend to these matters. Over the three years that I have been a member of this group, many people have left it complaining of racial undertones due to content within the group.
This is not necessarily a reflection on the controlling clique of the group as they have no control of individual opinions.
However, it is a fact that virtually all movement reported and persons approached relate to non-whites.
This is supposed to be an emergency group for the area, but the admin removes many people simply for having different views.
Also on bin day, the same clique of persons will often approach vagrants and "ask them to move on" and make them as unwelcome as possible.
By what right and by whose authority? This emergency chat group should not be subject to the whims and opinions of this small clique as to what is and what is not acceptable for the area. And because the group is for emergencies, it shouldn't be for a small clique to decide who to include or exclude in it.
The bottom line is there is a small group people who control of an emergency WhatsApp group, and they seem intent on enforcing their own rules for the area. They likely believe they are doing some good and I have no doubt that, in many instances, they are.
But the conduct and blanket approach applied by this clique is exactly what got this country into trouble in the first place.
There can no longer be an "us" and "them". The "not on our doorstep approach" can also not be condoned.
What has led to Steve Page's unfounded allegations and fabrication is the following: On March 20 during load shedding, a resident from Athens Road (he happens to be white) forwarded an audio recording of a joke about Eskom.
Due to previous complaints about people posting non-emergency issues on the emergency group, we warned residents that people would be removed for doing this without debate. So the resident was removed from the group.
Thirty minutes after I posted "this is unacceptable to put on the emergency group" Steve Page's daughter posted 17 laughing emoticons and she too was removed immediately.
Following this, Steve Page posted on the emergency group, asking to be removed.
I did as requested. After this, it was again posted on the Facebook group that residents will be removed if they post and disturb the more than 100 members on the group for non-emergency issues.
I posted the allegations made by Steve Page on our Facebook group and within minutes residents posted comments in support of the group. This letter is an unfounded, vindictive attempt to cause trouble.
The facts are that this is an emergency WhatsApp group with 145 members on it, which covers several roads and is not linked to any organisation such as the community police forum or Table View Neighbourhood Watch.
On this group we have residents of all colours, religions and cultures.
We currently have black, white, coloured, Chinese, Libyan, Muslim members, and no complaint has ever been made to me or on the group.
This group is for emergencies only – akin to a panic button where life or property are in imminent danger.
When residents are added, they are told that contravention of the rules will result in immediate removal. We have an informal community Facebook group of 242 residents which is not linked to any organisation.
Issues such as power outages, burst water pipes and general topics are discussed.
Rules include no racism, politics, religion or any other "isms".
In 2017 I had to remove two white members for contravening the rules – one for a racist comment and one for promoting a political party.
We pride ourselves on adhering not only to the Facebook rules governing what is not acceptable but that nothing unkind, untrue or nasty should be aired on our group.
We have had healthy discussions about issues such as the fireworks issue – some for, some against but no-one has ever sunk to the level of trying to create a divide in a community where there is none.


Starting today, we'll be running a trial of more stringent forum moderation. For the next several days, the following additional forum rules are in effect. This post will be altered as needed and removed when the trial is over, at which point the rules will either revert or be altered permanently, depending on the results of this trial.
- Moderators have been assigned to each forum from the contribution evaluation staff.
- Negative feedback does not affect reputation score. Instead, it serves only as notice to forum moderators to investigate a posting.
- Keep all posts polite and to the point. Off-topic posts will be removed, and rude/incendiary posts will be removed and may result in additional moderator actions.
- We will be handing out 24-hour posting bans as maximum penalty during the trial period. We will do this by artificially adjusting the reputation score.
At the start and end of the trial, all negative reputation scores are being reset to 0.


text:
ATT's first 5G speed tests look uninspiring
It's very, very, very, very early days.
By Sascha Segan for PCMag on December 28, 2018
5G isn't off to the best start. Credit: Miquel Llop/NurPhoto/Getty Images
PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
> Tech > Mobile
AT&T's Netgear Nighthawk 5G hotspot(Opens in a new tab), the first consumer mobile 5G device, has been on the market for about a week now, but it's hard to find any evidence that anyone's using it. One post on Reddit(Opens in a new tab) shows a Speedtest result of 194.88Mbps down — impressive, until you see that the Redditor got 187.44Mbps on AT&T's 4G network in the same location.
Otherwise, AT&T's, Netgear's, and Reddit's forums are deathly quiet when it comes to any actual 5G users, and Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence database doesn't seem to show any dramatic speed upticks in AT&T's 12 announced 5G cities. The carrier doesn't seem to have shown the 5G device to any journalists, and there are zero hands-ons being shown on YouTube. The company declined to make a unit available to me when I asked, saying they needed to save the relatively small inventory for customers.
SEE ALSO: The 5G iPhone probably isn't coming until 2020
That said, we haven't found any evidence that the customers are actually out there in any noticeable number. AT&T's 5G launch appears to mostly be a paper launch, so the company can say it "launched" in 2018.
The extremely early form of 5G the hotspot is using has lower peak speeds, at approximately 625Mbps, than the carrier's existing 4G LTE+LAA network, which explains that Redditor's experience. I explained more about what's going on with 5G speeds in my story, AT&T's 5G Will Be Slower and Faster Than LTE(Opens in a new tab). In short, 5G has huge potential but it's very, very, very, very early right now.
I've asked AT&T for more comment, but most of their PR people are off for the holidays.
Unfortunately for everyone, AT&T still plans to muddy the waters by putting a fake "5G" indicator onto its 4G phones. As Fierce Wireless reported(Opens in a new tab), AT&T will soon start changing the "4G LTE" indicator to "5G E" in situations where AT&T offers gigabit LTE. While people who read tech blogs won't be fooled, millions of less technical consumers will almost certainly think their phones just got a magic upgrade to 5G even though they won't see improved performance.
The essential element of a 5G network is a new, incompatible-with-older-phones radio system called 5G NR (new radio) which requires new hardware, like the Netgear hotspot. The grain of truth in AT&T's big lie is that 5G is also a network of networks: initially it can't even operate without a 4G connection, and one future aspect of 5G will bond 4G and 5G NR channels together for faster speeds. But for AT&T to put a big "5G" stamp on its "5G Evolution" 4G network is to mislead customers and to turn everything on its head.
To use a food metaphor, because it's Dec. 28, in this case think of 5G NR as a cheesecake and 4G LTE as the crust. Most cheesecakes come with a crust; they're bonded to each other and make each other better, especially if it's a graham cracker crust. If you were handed a plate of cheesecake without crust, though, it would still be cheesecake. But if you were just handed a plate of crust, well ... that's "5G E."
We're sure to see more 5G shenanigans early next year, and I'll do my best to try to get more details out of AT&T and Netgear at the CES 2019 trade show next week.
A new study says women are abused every 30 seconds on Twitter
More in 5G, AT&T, Smartphones
More in Tech


text:
HomeAppsComplete Guide to...
Complete Guide to Build an App Like Uber
If there has to be a classic start-up story in the past decade, then it has to be Uber. Uber transformed the taxi industry into something no one could have ever imagined. Many other firms entered the market after Uber, but it still remains at the top. So, two distinct questions arise here. First, how was Uber able to do it? Second, is there a scope of any other app to make such a huge mark?
If you are looking to develop an app like Uber, then this blog will surely answer these questions. Let's dive deep into Uber's fascinating journey from being an MVP to a full-fledged and robust application with pathbreaking features. Uber started a new era of On-Demand Services which inspired many entrepreneurs.
Initially, Uber was only an iOS App, iPhone users could summon a cab and pay cashless. Its astonishing to see how Uber has evolved holistically and grown its business and services at an exponential rate. From introducing a Carpooling service like Uberpool at lower fare rates to spreading their services in different verticals like food-delivery (Uber Eats), Uber is a master as well as a jack of all trades.
Think Out of the Box
Ride Sharing app like Uber started with luxurious cars and then expanded its business by introducing carpool, bike, and rental services. Like Uber, you can also decide which of the options you want to include according to your business plans, geography and customer demands. However, you can also choose a unique concept which you feel may take your company to the sky highs. How about providing a cab service specifically for adults? Alternatively, Kids going to school? These are a few concepts which haven't been tried by Uber. You could get a head start if you succeed with these new concepts of Cab Services.
Now the next step is to include features in your app as it will define your service. We will look at some basic as well as advanced features that you must add.
Features for Riders
To build a ride-hailing app you must have these basic rider's features as described below.
Estimated Fare calculator: When the riders book a Cab, it is important for them to know, the amount they're going to pay.
Saved Locations: Generally, riders daily commute from their home to the workplace and vice-versa. To keep them away from the exercise of filling the destination info, you must include an option where they can save or bookmark their usual source and destination location.
ETA: This feature enables to user to know how much time a driver will take to reach them. Users get this information before booking the cab.
Multiple Payment Options: Ensure that you have multiple payment options in your app. Different people have different preferences of payment modes. Having Multiple Payment options will make the payment process for customers convenient.
Features for Drivers
It is critical to work on your driver's features as they are the backbone of your service. Below are the features which you must have in your taxi booking software.
Driver's Profile: This feature includes complete details of the driver. These details are driver's basic info and vehicle's number and registration details. These details are important as they enable recruiters to know whether the driver is available or not.
GPS Tracking: There can't be a Taxi Booking App without GPS, as simple as that. It assists drivers and suggests shortest routes to reach at rider's location in minimum time.
Alert & Notification: Driver receives notification as soon as a rider nearby requests for a cab. It includes rider's real-time location and distance from driver's location.
Track Earnings: With the help of this feature drivers can know how much they have earned after a definite interval; helping them to plan their day in an efficient way.
Advanced Features to Make Your Service Stand-Out For Customers
Fare Splitting: This feature calculates the share of each person when they are traveling in groups. It saves a considerable amount of time for both user and driver.
Extra Stops: This feature will make your rider's trip flexible. It allows them to make multiple stops in a single ride.
Book for Someone Else: With this feature, you can book a cab for anyone who is far away from you. It's of great help when you have to book a ride for your friends or parents who might not be tech-savvy.
Finding the nearest Fuel Station: It allows the driver to find the nearest gas station with its distance and price. It is very helpful for drivers in a crisis situation.
Choose your route: Drivers can set their most used routes on the app. The app will automatically match the driver with a user who wants a ride through that route.
Technology Stack Used
Let's see what technology Uber uses in its app. Uber uses different technologies for its iOS and Android versions.
1.) Geolocation
Geolocation is perhaps the most critical technology used in technology stack by Uber. Uber uses various tools and software for both iOS and Android apps.
Identifying Device's Location
For iOS Uber uses CoreLocation framework to locate a user's device. For Android, it uses Google's Location API.
Providing Driving Directions
To ensure precise driving directions Uber's developers use Mapkit for their iOS App. For Android Uber developers use Google Maps Android API to provide accurate driving directions.
Uber has implemented Google maps as mapping software for both of their iOS and Android versions. However, Uber has bought several mapping technology companies to solve their logistic problems as it is aiming to become a top brand in delivering people and transporting logistics.
2.) Push Notification & SMS
Twilio Telecommunication provider powers uber texts. For the iOS app, Uber must use the Apple Push Notification Service. Meanwhile, for Android, it must go through Google Cloud Messaging.
3.) Payment Integration
Uber has partnered with Braintree, one of the big names in mobile payment market. For iOS Uber uses PayPal's Card.io service for credit card scanning. However, for Android, there is no such provision for scanning. You must manually enter your card details to link your card to Uber.
Estimated Cost to Build Taxi Booking App
It must be clear that the cost of developing an Uber-like app depends on various factors:
Publishing Platforms (iOS, Android, and Web)
Whether it's a full-featured product or just an MVP?
According to our estimates, it takes roughly around 5000-5500 hours to complete the task. The cost depends on the service providers which charges an hourly rate from $20- $750. A simple MVP app would cost you around $20,000 – $45,000, whereas a sophisticated app like Uber would cost you around $100,000 – $750,000.
The market of On-Demand Service is still in its nascent stage. Entrepreneurs are coming with different ideas, amongst which few works and the remaining don't. However, the current scene is not that discouraging as there are many On-Demand Cab services which have beaten Uber in their country. Unique & feasible idea combined with a robust business model and quality app development team can produce a pearl in the sea of On-Demand Services.
Explore tags ⟶
Build a app
Build an App Like Uber
Uber App
Uber app technology
Get notified whenever we post something new!
Free Online To
Image Compressor ⟶
Image to WebP ⟶
The documents and diagrams contained within this blueprint – which were created and managed using software such as IRIS Business Architect – describe the architectural structure of this business or organization. Business architecture basically acts as a link between the...
Whats App, the best mobile messaging app, is blind. Talk to friends, share videos, Figs, and make audio and video calls with your family today so you don't have to spend any money. As announced this year by Facebook...
There's no denying the fact that Youtube stands concrete as the highest demanded video platform on this planet. With over 5 billion videos being watched every day, the popularity of Youtube has already been taken to the next level....
Enjoy exclusive access to all of our content
Get an online subscription and you can unlock any article you come across.


Hi Willy, > By the way, how do you manage to cancel a single stream in the browser ? > Pressing Esc might break all of them I guess ? Thus I'm uncertain how to > achieve this. So we're in a very specific use-case of delivering map tiles, which are predominately requested via Leaflet.js.
On Tue, Jan 29, 2019 at 10:25:15AM +0200, Elena Sarimichailidou wrote: > Hello Willy, > > Thank you for replying so fast. The department in the organization I belong > to is managing Security so this is why I asked you so. > How can we informed about new version announces and stay up to date?


Are you traveling with us? Or just interested in learning more about human rights issues in Burma (Myanmar)? Below is a list of books and articles that we recommend to delve deeper into this topic.
Looking for a brief overview? Lonely Planet offers a thorough synopsis here.


I don't photograph weddings. There are so many great wedding photographers, and besides that is not the type of photography I want to do. But being a photographer, it was hard at my daughter's wedding to not even have my cellphone in hand, let alone my camera.
After the wedding was over I did go to the bridal cottage where I stashed my camera and went around the reception taking a few candid shots... more for myself and the family that had traveled to join us. Here are some of them.
Well, this one above was taken by someone else.
Again, these are some of the pictures. If you are interested in one of the photographs, please fill out the "contact" form on the home page.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross - Thank you for your kind words.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross - Thank you for your comments.
Marilyn - Loved the wedding pictures! Your website is also great with many helpful ideas for picture taking. Thanks for sharing.
Titi - You to full venue for the wedding! Thanks for giving me a great idea of what I missed. Beautiful! I'd like you to full venue for the wedding! Thanks for giving me a great idea of what I missed copies of the cousins and my kids, if you want to share.
Kevin - These are great photos! I love that you computed so many great smiles and moments at this wedding.


You may bring your household trash and recycling items to the Township Building on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
Below is a list of household items that are accepted for recycling. If an item is not on the list do not put it in the recycling trailer.


The NFA Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) Course is endorsed by the Australian Football League (AFL) and targets junior, suburban and country football clubs that may not have a qualified Level 1 sports trainer available to attend games, training/practice sessions.
The course enables football clubs, teams and volunteers to meet the minimum standards and requirements of the AFL regarding management of on-field emergencies & injuries.
The ERC will have the necessary skills required for emergency assessment, planning, on-field injury management and response priorities.
All participants who successfully complete this training will have the minimum competencies required to fulfill the role of an Emergency Response Coordinator at an Australian Football event.